Why is the holiday called Christmas? Nativity of Christ: the history and traditions of the celebration. Why do different churches celebrate Christmas?
In Bethlehem, they did not find a single free place in the city hotels. In a limestone cave intended for a stall, among hay and straw scattered for food and bedding for livestock, far from permanent residence, among strangers, on a cold winter night, in an environment devoid of not only earthly grandeur, but even ordinary convenience - the God-Man was born , Savior of the world. “I see a strange and glorious sacrament,” the Holy Church sings with surprise, “Heaven is a nativity scene; Throne of the Cherubim - the Virgin; the manger is a receptacle, in which the incongruous Christ God is reclined” (irmos of the 9th song of the canon). The Blessed Virgin, who painlessly gave birth to the Divine Infant, Herself, without outside help, “wraps Him up and puts Him in a manger” (Luke 2).
But in the middle of the midnight silence, when all mankind was enveloped in the deepest sinful sleep, the news of the Nativity of the Savior of the world was heard by the shepherds, who were on night guard at their flock. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and said: “Do not be afraid: behold, I bring you great joy, even to all people, as if today the Savior was born to you, Who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David,” and the humble shepherds were the first to be honored to bow for the salvation of people to the One who descended to "slave of the ghost". In addition to the angelic gospel to the Bethlehem shepherds, the Nativity of Christ was proclaimed by a miraculous star to the magi "star-talkers", and in the person of the wise men of the East, the whole pagan world, invisibly to itself, bowed its knees before the true Savior of the world, the God-man. Entering the temple where the Baby was, the wise men - "fell bowed down to Him, and opened their treasures, giving Him gifts: gold and Lebanon and myrrh" (Matt. 2, 11).
In remembrance of the Nativity in the flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Church established a feast. Its beginning dates back to the time of the Apostles. The Apostolic Decrees say: “Keep, brethren, the feast days, and firstly the day of the Nativity of Christ, which you may celebrate on the 25th day of the tenth month” (of March). In the same place, in another place, it is said: “Let them celebrate the Day of the Nativity of Christ, in the same time, an unexpected grace is given to people by the birth of the Word of God from the Virgin Mary for the salvation of the world.” In the II century, the day of the Nativity of Christ, December 25, is indicated by St. Clement of Alexandria. In the 3rd century, St. Hippolytus of Rome mentions the feast of the Nativity of Christ as a former one, appointing the reading of the Gospel on this day from the 1st chapter of Matthew. It is known that during the persecution of Christians by Maximian, in 302, the Nicomedia Christians on the very feast of the Nativity of Christ were burned in the temple in the number of 20,000. In the same century, when the Church, after persecution, received freedom of religion and became dominant in the Roman Empire, the feast of the Nativity we find in the entire Ecumenical Church, as can be seen from the teachings of Saint Ephraim the Syrian, Saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, Saint Gregory of Nyssa, Saints Ambrose, John Chrysostom and other Church Fathers of the 4th century on the feast of the Nativity of Christ. St. John Chrysostom, in his word, which he spoke in 385, calls the feast of the Nativity of Christ ancient and very ancient. In the same century, on the site of the Bethlehem cave, glorified by the birth of Jesus Christ, Equal-to-the-Apostles Empress Helena built a temple, the splendor of which her sovereign son tried a lot. In the code of Theodosius, published in 438, and Justinian - in 535, the law on the universal celebration of the day of the Nativity of Christ is set forth. In this sense, probably, Nikephoros Kallistos, a writer of the 14th century, in his history says that the emperor Justinian in the 6th century established to celebrate the Nativity of Christ throughout the earth. In the 5th century Anatoly, Patriarch of Constantinople, in the 7th century Sophronius and Andrew of Jerusalem, in the 8th century St. John of Damascus, Cosmas of Maium and Herman, Patriarch of Constantinople, in the 9th century St. Cassia and others whose names are unknown, wrote for the feast of the Nativity of Christ many sacred hymns now used by the Church to glorify the brightly celebrated event.
However, in the first three centuries, when persecution hampered the freedom of Christian worship, in some places of the East - the Churches of Jerusalem. Antioch, Alexandria and Cyprus - the feast of the Nativity of Christ was connected with the feast of Epiphany on January 6, under the common name of Theophany. The reason for this was probably the opinion that Christ was baptized on the day of His birth, as one can conclude about this from the words of St. John Chrysostom, who in one of his conversations on the Nativity of Christ says: “not the day on which Christ was born is called Theophany but the one into which he was baptized." The words of the Evangelist Luke, who, speaking of the baptism of Jesus Christ, testifies that then “Jesus was about thirty years old” (Luke 3:23). The celebration of the Nativity of Christ, together with the Epiphany, continued in some Eastern Churches until the end of the 4th century, in others until the 5th or even the 6th century. A monument to the ancient combination of the feasts of the Nativity of Christ and Theophany to this day in the Orthodox Church is the perfect similarity in the celebration of these holidays. Both are preceded by Christmas Eve, with the same folk tradition that on Christmas Eve one should fast until the star. The rite of Divine Liturgy on the eve of both feasts and on the feasts themselves is exactly the same.
The day of the Nativity of Christ has since ancient times been ranked by the Church among the great twelve feasts, in accordance with the Divine testimony of the Gospel, which depicts the celebrated event as the greatest, most joyful and wonderful. “Behold, I announce to you,” the Angel said to the shepherds of Bethlehem, “I have great joy, even if it will be for all the people. As if the Savior was born to you, Who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this is a sign for you: you will find the Infant wrapped, lying in a manger. Then suddenly there was a multitude of heavenly howls with the Angel, praising God and saying: glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men. Everyone who heard marveled at the words of the shepherds about the born Savior, and the shepherds themselves returned, glorifying and praising God for everyone, even hearing and seeing ”(Lk. 2, 10 - 20). So the Nativity of Christ, as an event of the highest and extraordinary, was accompanied by the wonderful news to the shepherds and sorcerers about the universal joy for all people, “as if the Savior had been born”, Angelic praise to the born Savior, worship of the shepherds and sorcerers. the reverent surprise of many who heard the words of the shepherds about the Born Child, the glory and praise of Him from the shepherds.
According to the Divine testimony of the Gospel, the Fathers of the Church in their God-wise writings depict the feast of the Nativity of Christ as the greatest, universal and most joyful, which serves as the beginning and foundation for other holidays.
Christmas is one of the important celebrations in the life of a Christian believer. The whole family takes part in it, not excluding children. Curious children are interested in knowing the history of this event, and the duty of Orthodox parents is to satisfy this pious intention.
The history of the Christmas holiday for children should be simple and easy, because the traditional biblical story is somewhat difficult for early perception.
Birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.
When is Christmas celebrated
Orthodox Christians celebrate the Nativity of Christ on January 7, and the day before, on January 6, they celebrate Christmas Eve. These are especially solemn days in temples - as elsewhere on winter holidays, they decorate Christmas trees, put up nativity scenes telling about the birth of Christ. There is a pious tradition in some churches to put on children's performances and performances dedicated to this holiday.
However, not always and not all Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7th. Catholics celebrate this day earlier, on December 25th. Our church also used to celebrate Christmas before the New Year, but with the transition to a new style, the date was set to January 7 and remained constant.
In fact, no one knows exactly when Christ was born. Scholars who study the Bible have calculated this date, and it has been established as it is today. But for a believer, there is not too much difference how exactly January 7 corresponds to the biblical date of the birth of Christ - it is on this day that the whole church triumphs, rejoices and rejoices. It is on this day that we are called to share the joy with the Church.
About other Great Orthodox holidays:
About Christmas for children
The parents of little Jesus were called Mary and Joseph. The Lord entrusted them with a great mission - to give birth and raise the Savior of mankind.
Before the birth, God-fearing parents went to Bethlehem, because the emperor had given a decree to conduct a census, and every inhabitant had to come to hometown(Father Joseph was from Bethlehem). The father and mother of Jesus had to spend the night in a cave, as all the hotels in the city were completely packed. Here Mary gave birth to God's son. The baby was placed in a manger filled with hay for the cattle.
At this time, wise wise men (shepherds) with a flock passed nearby. They saw a dazzling light and an angel appeared, who announced the birth of the Savior of mankind. The heavenly messenger told where the baby was and ordered to visit him with special gifts.
As a church law, Christmas was introduced by John Chrysostom in 386. The Council of Constantinople, on behalf of Basil the Great, set the day for the celebration of the Nativity of Christ - December 25th.
The explanation for this choice is based on the tradition of the prophets that Jesus was to live on earth for a full number of years. The date of Christ's death was known to everyone, 9 months were taken away from it and the time of conception was calculated. On the day of the Annunciation, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary and said that in 9 months she would give birth to a son from the Holy Spirit.
Having counted nine months from this date, the clergy agreed that December 25 is the date of the birth of the Savior.
The Orthodox holiday of Christmas is the celebration of a new era in human history. Residents of the entire globe try at this time to give special love to each other, imitating the Almighty. For God so loved the world that He gave His Son for the eternal life of everyone who believes in Him. (John 3:16-21)
How to celebrate Christmas
Since Christmas is a great Christian holiday, of course, it should be celebrated in the temple. The service on this day is especially solemn and majestic, joyful. Children also do not get bored in the temple - it is customary to give them sweets, treats, sweets. Of course, you need to set the children in a prayerful mood, but you don’t need to overdo it. Let the children feel the bright joy of this day, and not the strict control of their parents over their behavior in the temple.
Caroling at Christmas.
Telling children about Christmas, like any other Christian holiday, adults themselves need to be imbued with the joy and light of this day. It is completely pointless to tell children about the holiday when adults themselves do not believe in a miracle and do not feel the special features of this day.
Read about other Orthodox traditions:
Both adults and children will be interested to know about the preparation and holding of this bright day:
- Preparing for the meeting of Christmas is a rather long Christmas post. According to the Charter of our Church, children under 7 do not have to fast, and for older children, some abstinence will only benefit. Of course, a child should not be deprived of meat and dairy products for a long time, which are so necessary during a period of active growth. But the rejection of sweets, from watching TV, the restriction on the Internet is quite capable of withstanding already teenagers.
Children's fasting should in no case be in the form of coercion. Children in adolescence they rebel strongly against any pressure, and in matters of faith this is completely unacceptable.
- On Christmas Day itself and Christmas Eve, it is customary to go to church. You can dress up beautifully so that the appearance of a person also expresses triumph. Temples, beautifully decorated with lights, decorated Christmas trees and other Christmas paraphernalia, will not cause boredom even for small children.
- Since Soviet times, the practice of decorating a Christmas tree for the New Year has taken root. Today, however, many believers leave this joyful work for Christmas. This is due to the fact that the secular New Year falls on last week Christmas post. It is wrong to deprive children of a festive decorated Christmas tree with gifts under it, but in Orthodox families the main emphasis should not be on the New Year, but on Christmas.
- A wonderful Christmas tradition is to celebrate the holiday with the family at the festive table. On Christmas Eve, a fasting table is laid in the evening, and the very next day, after the solemn service, the whole family gathers for a plentiful and satisfying dinner.
- A tradition that came from the pagan past of the Slavs is caroling. Nowadays, this tradition is not becoming so popular, but even at the beginning of the last century, mummers went to almost every house on Christmas. People dressed up in colorful costumes and went from house to house singing Christmas songs and carols. Of course, the children were very fond of such caroling.
Miracles for the holidays
It is believed that on this day they open Heaven's Gate, which fulfill the most secret and kind desires, and also save from the materialistic vision of reality.
- One girl began to attend church after a significant dream in which the postcard read: "Hurry to the Savior!" She regarded it as the highest instruction, changed her own worldview and now lives according to Christian canons.
- During the carol, the boy, descending the frozen stairs, slipped and fell with the back of his head on the edge of the step. After such an injury, they rarely survive, but he managed to avoid death and a serious injury to the skull. The boy felt the unprecedented love of the Lord when he was able to rise. Soon, miraculously saved from death, he realized that he should thank God, and began to go to the temple.
- The woman had been sick since childhood, the doctors said that the chance of carrying a child was approaching zero. At Christmas, the girl walked with her friends, there was an unusual silence around. At this time, the woman heard a strong voice, saying that she was expecting a child. Two months later she met a good man and soon gave birth.
More about Orthodox miracles:
The bright holiday of Christmas is especially loved by Christian families. Children get delicious sweets and get the opportunity to dress up in interesting costumes. An unusual atmosphere reigns in the house, glorifying the appearance of the Savior of mankind, who accepted death in order to atone for all sins.
How to get kids to love Christmas
It is not enough for children of any age to simply tell what the essence of this day is. Children learn the world sensually, through emotions and impressions. Therefore, the most The best way to convey to the child the joy of Christ - to find it yourself.
Children celebrating Christmas
If parents or close influential relatives themselves go to church, fast, and engage in their own spiritual life, this cannot but be reflected in the souls of children. Even if at some time the child moves away from the church and from God (most often this happens in adolescence), the sprouts planted in childhood will give a result.
It is necessary to cultivate faith in God and to church a child at any age very carefully, in no case breaking or exerting excessive pressure.
Christmas holidays are an excellent opportunity to combine joyful festivities and spiritual education. On ordinary days, children are often bored at worship services, especially if the habit of going there regularly has not been instilled from early childhood. But Christmas services are a great way to show your child that church doesn't have to be boring.
Children who go to the temple with their parents from an early age are much less likely to leave as a teenager. But it is very important that the child has his own, personal spiritual need to come to the temple for Christmas, and not spend this day in another place. If a child refuses to go to church with his parents, do not force him. At an early age, this will still give some result and the child will simply submit to the will of the parents. However, at an older age, such a child is more likely to leave the temple.
A wonderful Christmas tradition loved by both children and adults is gifts. IN Soviet time everyone is used to giving gifts to New Year, but in believing families this is more often done at Christmas.
Interesting:
In gifts for Christmas, in addition to the desire to please others, symbolism can also be traced: the Magi, having come to bow to the newborn Christ, also carried their gifts to him.
Since the long fast ends with the celebration of Christmas, this day can be spent not only in worship, but also in worldly joys. Even not very religious people love and celebrate Christmas, so on this day it is customary to visit or receive guests at home.
There is nothing shameful to sit down with loved ones at the table and celebrate the holiday. For children, they often arrange funny contests with awards and gifts. It is only important not to forget what is celebrated on this day, and to celebrate the holiday within reason.
Watch a video about Christmas
Christmas is the most beloved holiday, covered with light and joy. It contains so much warmth, kindness and love that you want to give away these feelings along with gifts to friends and relatives. But sometimes it happens that they celebrate this event on a completely different day. How is this possible? When should Christmas be celebrated, and what are the differences? Let's try to figure it out.
history of the holiday
The gospel says: Jesus was born in Bethlehem, where His mother Mary and Joseph the Betrothed went to take part in the announced census. Due to the influx of visitors, all the hotels were occupied, so they had to settle in a cave that served as a barn for cattle. It was there that the Son of God was born. An angel brought the news of His birth to the shepherds, who hurried to bow to Him. Another banner of the appearance of the Messiah was the delightful one, which lit up in the sky and showed the way to the Magi. They brought gifts to the Child - frankincense, myrrh and gold - and honored Him as the King of the Jews.
First celebration
Surprisingly, there is no exact evidence anywhere about when Christmas came according to the calendar, that is exact date not specified. For this reason, the early Christians did not celebrate this holiday at all. The appearance of the date itself - from January 6 to 7 - was facilitated by the Copts, Egyptian Christians, their faith in God, who is born, dies and rises, has existed since ancient times. It was from them, from Alexandria, the center of knowledge and science, that the tradition of celebrating this event these days spread to the entire Christian world, and initially all the followers of Jesus celebrated the Nativity of Christ and Theophany at the same time. But in the IV century, the Roman Empire postponed the celebrations on the occasion of the birth of the Messiah to December 25th. Not everyone followed this example, for example, it remains true to the ancient tradition to celebrate two holidays at the same time.
Calendar ups and downs
Further events developed in such a way that in the 16th century Gregory VIII, who at that time was on the papal throne, introduced his own chronology, which was called the "new style". Before that, the one introduced by Julius Caesar was in use, the definition of "old style" was assigned to it. Now the difference between them is 13 days.
Europe, following its spiritual shepherd, switched to new calendar, and Russia did this only after the victory of the revolution in 1917. But the church did not approve of such an innovation and remained at its chronology.
There was another interesting event: in 1923, at the Council of Orthodox Churches, on the initiative of the Patriarch of Constantinople, corrections were made to the Julian calendar: a "New Julian" calendar arose, which so far completely coincides with the Gregorian. Representatives of Russia were not present at the meeting due to the political situation, the attempts of the then Patriarch Tikhon to bring the decision of the majority were unsuccessful, therefore the Julian chronology is still in force here.
When do different groups of Christians celebrate Christmas?
The result of the spread of various systems of chronology was confusion with dates. As a result, Vatican adherents and Protestants celebrate when December 24th turns into December 25th. Together with them, these dates are honored by 11 local Orthodox churches, but they check with their own, New Julian, calendar.
From January 6 to 7, Christmas comes for the Russian, Georgian, Ukrainian, Jerusalem, Serbian Orthodox churches, Athos monasteries that recognize only the old style, many Catholics of the Eastern rite and part of Russian Protestants.
It turns out that everyone celebrates the birth of the Son of God on December 25, but everyone does it according to their own calendar.
Christmas Eve: Orthodox Traditions
January 6 is a special day, Christmas Eve. It is customary to call it Christmas Eve. In the evening of this day, the Christmas vigil begins, lasting about three hours. Usually the whole family gathers in church. It is after the end of the service that the moment comes when it officially begins. Believers congratulate each other and rush home to the festive table.
Traditionally, it was not customary to eat on Christmas Eve until the first star or church service appeared. But even after that, albeit festive, but lenten dishes were put on the table. Among other edible assortment, a special place was occupied by sochivo, or kutya - porridge made from wheat or rice with honey, nuts and poppy seeds. It was prepared only on this Christmas night.
On Christmas Eve, they decorated the house, decorated the Christmas tree and laid out gifts under it, which could only be touched after the festive dinner. Then the family gathered at the green beauty, and one of the children distributed the souvenirs intended for them to everyone. The person who received the gift unwrapped it and showed it to everyone, thanking them.
It was customary to dedicate the evening to relatives, family, but it was possible to invite lonely people to celebrate the holiday together and share a meal.
Popular beliefs
Christmas Eve evening was considered a favorable time for all sorts of forecasts for the future. Before dinner, it was customary to go outside and "watch the stars", which, thanks to various signs, could tell about the upcoming harvest, and therefore about the well-being of the family. So, the blizzard foreshadowed that the bees would swarm well. A starry night promised a good offspring of livestock and an abundance of wild berries. Frost on the trees was a harbinger of a successful grain harvest.
Before the meal, the host had to go around the house with a pot of kutya three times and then throw a few spoons of porridge over the threshold - a treat for the spirits. To appease the "frost", doors were opened for him and invited to the table.
They did not eat the kutia to the end, they left spoons in it, which was a symbolic tribute to the poor.
First day of the holiday
On January 7, Christmas began to be celebrated with all the breadth of the soul. After the morning Liturgy, the Orthodox went to visit each other. The festive fast food table was bursting with pickles, it was not cleaned, because the acquaintances who came to congratulate the hosts were constantly replaced. It was considered a good tradition to visit all relatives, especially those who are old and lonely.
Catholic customs
According to Western Christians, no one should be left without a gift on Christmas Eve. The main donor was Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus). He distributed gifts in a very remarkable way: he laid them out in socks and hung them over the fireplace, and then he himself disappeared into the chimney.
The custom of caroling has been preserved, when children and youth went from house to house with songs. At the same time, the participants of the action dressed up in various costumes and masks. Thanks for the congratulations and good wishes adults gave them sweets.
Another attribute of the holiday - "Christmas bread" - these are special unleavened wafers, illuminated during Advent. They were eaten when Christmas was celebrated at the festive table or during congratulations to each other.
As holiday decoration not only spruce, but also other tree species could act. In addition, the house was decorated with special wreaths of twigs and flowers, which were a symbol of the Sun.
Christmas is a wonderful holiday, warmed by the warmth of loved ones and the love of God, which allowed this miracle to happen. Maybe that's why you so want to deliver something pleasant to those who are nearby. After all, it is not so important when Christmas comes for certain people, the main thing is that it comes and renews the human soul.
The history of Christmas for children
Khamidulina Almira Idrisovna, teacher primary school MBOU progymnasium "Kristina" Tomsk.Purpose: This material will be of interest to teachers, educators in preparation for the Christmas holidays.
Target: Introduction to the history of Christmas.
Tasks: to develop interest in the history of the emergence of the Christmas holiday, to cultivate respect for folk traditions.
Before Christmas
Valentin Berestov
"And why are you, my stupid baby,
Nose pressed against the glass
Sitting in the dark and looking
In an empty frosty haze?
Come with me there
Where the star shines in the room
Where bright candles
balloons, gifts
Decorated Christmas tree in the corner!
"No, soon a star will light up in the sky.
She'll bring you here tonight
as soon as Christ is born
(Yes, yes, right to these places!
Yes, yes, right in this frost!),
Eastern kings, wise magi,
To praise the Christ child.
And I have already seen the shepherds through the window!
I know where the barn is! I know where the ox is!
And the donkey walked along our street!
One of the main holidays of Christians, the second after Easter, is considered Nativity, which is celebrated on January 7. On this day, an amazing event took place - the Son of God Jesus Christ was born. In an old cave intended for a stall, among straw and hay scattered for bedding and feed for livestock, far from permanent residence, among strangers, on a cold winter night, in an environment devoid of not only earthly grandeur, but even ordinary convenience - the God-man was born , Savior of the world. He came to earth to save our souls.
Our Lord, Jesus Christ, was born of the Blessed Virgin Mary during the time of Emperor Augustus in the city of Bethlehem. Augustus ordered a national census to be made. It was the custom for the Jews to conduct national censuses by tribes, tribes and clans, each tribe and clan had its own specific cities and ancestral places, therefore the Blessed Virgin and Righteous Joseph, as descended from the family of David, had to go to Bethlehem (city of David) to add their names to the list of Caesar's subjects.
In Bethlehem, they did not find a single free place in the city hotels. But in the middle of the midnight silence, when all mankind was enveloped in the deepest sleep, the shepherds, who were on night guard at their flock, heard the news of the Nativity of the Savior of the world. An Angel of the Lord appeared before them and said: will be for all people, as if today the Savior was born to you, Who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David, ”and the humble shepherds were the first to bow for the sake of saving people to the One who descended to“ the servant of the eye.
In addition to the angelic gospel, the Nativity of Christ was announced by a miraculous star to the magi "star-talkers".
There was no holiday more cheerful and spacious in Rus' than Christmas. The feast of Christmas itself anticipates a six-week fast. The evening of the previous day is Christmas Eve, and it is he who is celebrated. On Christmas Eve, everyone fasts until evening, until the first star appears. January 6 is the last day of the Nativity Fast for the Orthodox. This fast is also called Phillipov, and it lasts 40 days. The main goal of the Advent is to spiritually cleanse a person in order to celebrate Christmas with a pure soul. The rules of abstinence prescribed by the Church during the Nativity Fast are just as strict as the Peter's Fast. Meat, butter, milk, eggs are prohibited. In addition, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of Advent, fish, wine, and oil are forbidden by the charter, and food without oil is allowed only after Vespers. On other days - Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - it is allowed to eat with vegetable oil. Fish during the Nativity Fast is allowed on Saturdays and Sundays and great holidays, for example, on the feast of the Entry into the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos, on temple holidays and on the days of great saints, if these days fall on Tuesday or Thursday. If the holidays fall on Wednesday or Friday, then fasting is allowed only for wine and oil.
The table on which the food is served is covered with straw or hay. This is reminiscent of the manger in which the Savior was placed. The most important dishes on Christmas Eve are kutya and vzvar. Boiled grains of wheat or barley were used to make kutya, later it was made from rice; from apples, pears, plums, raisins, cherries and other fruits boiled in water, they prepared a boil. 12 days after Christmas last Holy days (Christmas). In the evening around Christmas, carolers go and sing songs about how Christ was born. The main purpose of caroling is to wish happiness, wealth and a good harvest. Sometimes carolers carry a star with them as a reminder of that star.
Christmas- the day of reconciliation, kindness, peacefulness, the day of the glorification of Christ. Church services are held everywhere on Christmas Eve. All the candlesticks are burning, the chandelier is burning, the choir performs the doxology.
In the old days, when the clock struck midnight, everyone exchanged gifts, congratulated each other, made wishes. It was believed that at Christmas the sky opens up to the earth, and the forces of heaven fulfill everything planned, while the wishes must be necessarily good.
For the first time, they began to decorate a Christmas tree for Christmas in Germany in the 16th century. On Christmas Eve, the Christmas tree was placed in the church choirs and decorated with apples. As time passed, other decorations were added, each of which made sense. Fruits symbolized redemption, unleavened dough cakes - communion, apples - fertility, eggs - well-being and harmony, nuts - the incomprehensibility of Divine Providence. In memory of the star of Bethlehem, the top of the Christmas tree was decorated with an eight-pointed star, which showed the way to the Magi who went to bow to the newborn Savior. Candles and lanterns were symbols of the stars and bonfires that illuminated the path of the shepherds on that Holy Night. The bells on the Christmas tree reminded of those that the shepherds hung to their sheep. Gradually, the believers replaced the spruce branches in their homes with whole trees, decorated in the manner described above.
God's tree
G. Heine
bright star rays
The sky is blue.
- Why, tell me, mom,
Brighter in the sky of stars shine
On Christmas night?
Like a tree in the mountains
Lit this midnight
And diamond lights
And the radiance of radiant stars
Is she all decorated?
- True, my son, in God's sky
On the night of the present saint
Christmas tree lit for the world
And full of wonderful gifts
For the family, she is human.
Look how bright the stars are
Shine the world there, far away:
Holy gifts shine in them -
For people - goodwill,
Peace and truth are for the earth.
Christmas: the history and traditions of the holiday of goodness and light
On January 7, Orthodox Christians will celebrate one of the most important and solemn holidays in church calendar- Nativity.
history of the holidayAccording to the Scriptures, the Blessed Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ in Bethlehem during the then census. The city was overflowing with people who arrived for the census, and no one had a place to sleep in their houses. Mary and Joseph settled down in the barn, where they spent the night with their pets. At the moment of birth, a star appeared in the sky, which showed the Magi the way to the baby. The wise men entered the barn and presented their gifts to the future Savior: gold, frankincense and myrrh (a special fragrant oil).
When is the holiday celebrated?
Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7, unlike Catholics who celebrate it. This tradition arose in connection with the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in Europe in 1582. In Russia, only in the twentieth century began to use the European chronology. The Church did not accept the new calendar at all and continues to count Christian holidays according to the Byzantine calendar partially reformed by Peter I.
What happens before Christmas?
Before the holiday, the Orthodox observe a 40-day fast, one of the longest in the church calendar.
On Christmas Eve (Christmas Eve), everyone gathers at the festive table. It is customary to spend this quiet pre-Christmas evening with the closest people and wait for the first star to appear in the sky, which will herald the beginning of the holiday.
Photo: Sergey Bobylev/TASS
What to cook for Christmas?
Believers usually set a table of 12 courses. The main thing on the night of January 6-7 is sochivo - wheat grains with honey, nuts, raisins or dried fruits. After the first star appeared in the sky, the Orthodox should start the meal with it, and then move on to the main dishes.
Important and symbolic festive table is jelly. It is prepared exclusively from the most ripe and sweet fruits or berries. If desired, it can be supplemented with a broth - dried fruit compote. In addition, there must be a fish dish on the table - a symbol of Christianity and Christ.
The main rule that all Orthodox try to adhere to is that the Christmas table should be especially generous and rich. In addition to sochiv, jelly and fish, you can add aspic, goose with apples, chicken, young stuffed pig, pancakes and much more. It is customary to serve gingerbread, sweets, nuts and fruits for sweets.
How to receive guests?
At Christmas dinner, it is customary to invite and let everyone into the house who needs it. On this day, you need to please those who cannot afford a traditional holiday. There is a belief that the Lord himself can come to dinner in honor of the Nativity of Christ, but it is not known in what guise he will appear. It is possible that this will be a person in need, so wanderers must be received with great respect.
Photo: Pavel Smertin/TASS
What is a Christmas carol?
In some villages and villages in Russia, the tradition of caroling at Christmas is still widespread.
This custom has its roots in Christmas songs, which in the old days were called carols. Believers went from house to house and sang ritual songs - this is how they glorified the Nativity of Christ. Such songs can not only talk about Christmas, but also praise the Almighty, family, children and human life itself. It is customary to treat carolers with gingerbread, sweets, fruits, and also give them a small amount of money.